One of my favorite hobbies is dog agility training and preparing to compete in agility competition. It keeps me fit and sharp and it allows me to spend quality time with my family, kids and dogs.
Dog agility training is somewhat harder than other training options, but I find it the most fun. Firstly if you haven’t heard of dog agility it is a sport for dogs and owners. It is extremely popular in the US and UK and now there are reports of it happening down under in Australia and New Zealand.
Dog-Agility-Field
It comprises of a main event, of which there are lots of different courses for your dog to run. In the courses there is a set number of obstacles. 26 is the average. Your dog has to complete the course without getting any faults in the quickest time to win. Sounds easy? Think again.
There are certain obstacles included in the course which need much training to master. There are two different types of courses, there are jumping and there are agility courses.
Jumping courses are exactly what it says on the box, they are courses full of obstacles which your dog is to jump over; things like (two stands which face each other that hold a pole, the pole stand is around 4ft high) which your dog has to clear without knocking the pole down.
And there are weaves (the weave is a straight line of poles). They can be 6,8,or 12 poles in length, your dog must weave through this) which your dog must not come out of before the end.
In agility courses there are contact points on obstacles which your dog must touch with their paws. This requires a lot of agility training but it is good fun.
To run your dog in a show or a sanctioned competition, you and you dog must be registered with the American Kennel Club (the AKC) or the Scottish Kennel Club (SKC if you are from Scotland); and be part of an agility club where members meet up once or twice a week and train together, constructing practice courses, or just do certain obstacles their dog needs practicing on.
Agility dog training is not allowed in a canine club before your dog is 1 year old. Most agility enthusiasts have training equipment and sets at home so they can start their dogs from as young as 6-7 weeks. They also enjoy constructing obstacle course plans and collecting training photos to show them off during their agility club meetings!
Dog-Agility-Coursemap
A lot of dog training and agility training must be done before you enter your first show. Your dog must be able to run a full course. Popular breed of dogs for agility training include shelties, miniature Australian shepherds and retrievers.
One of the good things about training an agility dog today is the evolution of the Internet0. There are tons of excellent training books, magazine, videos and supplies that you can Instantly buy online which were not so readily available a few years ago. You can order all sorts of training tunnels, training tubes and kits and have them shipped directly to your door step in any major city.
If you are really interested in starting your dog agility training, my advice and tip is to call your local dog training center or school for more information about their beginners dog behavior and training camps. That to me is the best place to develop a strong foundation for the future.
Pembroke-Corgi-Dog-Agility
Forgive me for making dog agility sound like hard grueling work and not the fun it really is. Trust me, it is nothing but spectacular. The people, the atmosphere and the enjoyment!